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Story Author

Raquel Levy

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Story Date

10/17/2011

Story Abstract

Students pack a lot of learning into the six weeks of practice leading up to Symphony Orchestra’s first performance of school year.

Story

On October 9, students and community members crowded in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists to hear Southern’s Symphony Orchestra perform for the first time this school year. Little did they know they were about to witness a musical miracle.

Because the first performance is early in the semester, students have only been practicing as a group for six weeks. According to Laurie Redmer Minner, orchestra conductor, many musicians from past years have graduated and many are new. So initially, there’s always a lot of work to be done.

“The difference between the first rehearsal and the performance is extraordinary,” Minner said. “I get a miracle every year at this time!”

This particular miracle came in the form of flawless performances of “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” by John Adams, “Romeo and Juliet Overture” by Tchaikovsky, and “Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major” by Beethoven (click on media player at bottom to listen).

At the end of the concert, many students felt a great sense of accomplishment from the results of their hard work. Emil Harty, junior medical lab science major and bass player for the orchestra, was one of them.

“It was really incredible,” Emil said. “I’m really glad to be in the orchestra. It’s not easy, but Mrs. Minner is an awesome conductor. She makes the music come alive for us!”

The music came alive for the audience that night as well. They watched the rise and fall of students’ arms on their instruments, all the while listening to the soundtrack of this amazing transformation.

“There’s something to be said about six weeks of hard work coming to fruition,” Minner said. “What you hope is that the players will take something from it that will benefit them in future performances and that the audience has a wonderful time.”

On October 9, students and community members crowded in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists to hear Southern’s Symphony Orchestra perform for the first time this school year. Little did they know they were about to witness a musical miracle.

Because the first performance is early in the semester, students have only been practicing as a group for six weeks. According to Laurie Redmer Minner, orchestra conductor, many musicians from past years have graduated and many are new. So initially, there’s always a lot of work to be done.

“The difference between the first rehearsal and the performance is extraordinary,” Minner said. “I get a miracle every year at this time!”

This particular miracle came in the form of flawless performances of “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” by John Adams, “Romeo and Juliet Overture” by Tchaikovsky, and “Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major” by Beethoven (click on media player at bottom to listen).

At the end of the concert, many students felt a great sense of accomplishment from the results of their hard work. Emil Harty, junior medical lab science major and bass player for the orchestra, was one of them.

“It was really incredible,” Emil said. “I’m really glad to be in the orchestra. It’s not easy, but Mrs. Minner is an awesome conductor. She makes the music come alive for us!”

The music came alive for the audience that night as well. They watched the rise and fall of students’ arms on their instruments, all the while listening to the soundtrack of this amazing transformation.

“There’s something to be said about six weeks of hard work coming to fruition,” Minner said. “What you hope is that the players will take something from it that will benefit them in future performances and that the audience has a wonderful time.”